Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
January 19, 2011
Question

Turn Compound Path Back Into A Path?

  • January 19, 2011
  • 15 replies
  • 122216 views

Is there a way to do this? I recall finding a method a while back, but I have long forgtten it. If anyone knows I would appreciate the info.

Thanks.

      15 replies

      Show previous replies
      A
      Anonymous
      January 20, 2011

      I suspect we have a troll ...


      A
      Anonymous
      January 19, 2011

      Anyone?

      markerline
      markerline
      Inspiring
      January 19, 2011

      You're kidding, right?  Have you tried using the steps Mr. Bugge and I outlined above?  Look into your Layers palette to verify that your path is no longer a Compound Path after taking those steps.

      _scott__
      _scott__
      Legend
      January 19, 2011

      Ok....say I have an object which is a compound path, but now I want to turn it back into a path (regular path, whatever). Regardless of how many components are in the compound path I know there is a way to turn it back into a path - just one single path. I've done it before when I was taking an Illustrator class at LVSOnline, but I forgot how I did it. I thought someone here might know.


      To release a compound path you select the object and choose Object > Compound Path > Release from the menu.

      That will result in a path for each area of the compound path. The ONLY way to release a compound path and get one path is if you started with one path before making the compound path. If there is more than one component in the compound path you will ALWAYS, under all circumstances, get more than one path when releasing the compound path. That's the way Illustrator has always worked.

      That's essentially what everyone here has posted. If you don't believe the experienced users... good luck!

        Jacob Bugge
        Community Expert
        Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 19, 2011

        And the options are in Object>Compound Path.

        markerline and I presume you mean The Original Paths rather then A Path.

          A
          Anonymous
          January 19, 2011

          I know there's  way to turn a compound path back into a regular path. If anyone knows please let me know. Thanks.

          victormaxim
          victormaxim
          Participant
          October 27, 2014

          Hi dcloud! Really messy situation here! I'll comment on that in the latter text. I had the same question as you and the same situation. The answer is not what YOU did to make the compound shape a path again, but how AI interpreted it. The thing is, AI can convert/interpret a compound path back to a path AS LONG as that shape does not have holes in it. E.g.: let's take 6 and G. Now, G, you can make from several shapes let's say, merge, trim, whatever and it will be (converted to / seen as) regular path, because it doesn't have holes. Whereas 6, has a hole in it and will never become a path. Probably, what got us to the conclusion that you can turn a compound path to a path is that we only happened to merge and cut shapes without holes and that's how the memory remained. other examples (because I'm too lazy to draw a picture): paths: W E T Y U X vs compound paths: O P A D.

          It really bugged me also that people didn't understand the issue, but this only prooves that it doesn't matter how many tech issues you solved or who you are, a carefull look at a problem, and a kind attitude towards another is the key. to a good community. Cheers!

            markerline
            markerline
            Inspiring
            January 19, 2011

            There are 2 options for compound path:  Make or Release.

            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
            Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices